JP2015039838A - Droplet jetting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress floating or adhesion of an ink mist.SOLUTION: A droplet jetting device 1 includes: a droplet jetting head 22 including a nozzle plate 37 having a nozzle 36 formed therein for jetting a droplet onto a record medium P; a carriage 27 on which the droplet jetting head 22 is mounted; a carriage movement mechanism 29 for moving the carriage 27 along a carriage movement path S in a direction crossing a medium transport path 13 where the recording medium P is transported; a static elimination member 70 capable of eliminating an electrostatic charge on an article in a non-contact state; and a charged member 60 having a polarized charge. Further, the static elimination member 70 is arranged at a position closer to the nozzle 36 than a position where the charged member 60 is arranged.

Description

  The present invention relates to a droplet discharge device including a droplet discharge head that discharges liquid as droplets on a medium.

  In recent years, droplet discharge devices are used in various fields. As one form of the droplet discharge device, an inkjet recording device including an inkjet head as a droplet discharge head that discharges ink onto a recording sheet is known. In an ink jet recording apparatus, part of ink droplets (droplets) ejected from an ink jet head may become ink mist (fine droplets) and float in the housing. The floating ink mist may adhere to parts in the casing and cause various problems. Therefore, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, various methods have been proposed as a countermeasure against such ink mist.

  In Patent Document 1, when ink droplets are ejected from an ink jet head, a voltage is applied to a conductive plate provided on the ink jet head to positively charge the ink droplet, and the mist absorbing material is applied to the ink droplet by applying a voltage. Discloses a method of collecting ink mist by charging it to the opposite polarity. Patent Document 2 discloses an ink jet printer in which a conductive brush attached to an ink jet head and a nozzle plate are grounded to have the same potential. In this configuration, since the leading end of the conductive brush contacts the recording paper, the recording paper and the nozzle plate are at the same potential, and there is no electric field between the nozzle plate and the recording paper. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the charged ink mist and paper dust from being attracted to the nozzle plate side.

JP 2012-228804 A JP 2011-156777 A

  However, in order to suppress the floating or adhesion of the ink mist, the technique of Patent Document 1 includes a configuration for controlling charging of the ink droplets and a configuration for charging the mist absorbing material in the ink jet recording apparatus. In the technique of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to control the potential of the nozzle plate and its surrounding members. Therefore, the inkjet recording apparatus has a problem that the structure and configuration are complicated.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A droplet discharge head including a nozzle plate on which nozzles for discharging droplets are formed on a recording medium, a carriage on which the droplet discharge head is mounted, and a medium conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed A carriage movement mechanism for moving the carriage along a carriage movement path in a direction intersecting with a charge eliminating member capable of removing charges of a non-contact object, and a charging member having polarized charges, The droplet discharging apparatus, wherein the charge removal member is disposed at a position closer to the nozzle than a position at which the charging member is disposed.

  When droplets are ejected from the droplet ejection head, the trailing edge of the droplet body flying toward the recording medium is separated into fine droplets, and the fine droplets are charged and floating It became a mist. According to this configuration, in the liquid droplet ejection device, the neutralizing member that can neutralize the charge of the object in a non-contact manner is disposed near the nozzle from which the liquid droplets are ejected. Therefore, the charge can be removed from the droplet by the charge eliminating member. As a result, fine droplets that have been misted conventionally easily fall onto the recording medium together with the droplet main body, and the floating of the fine droplets is suppressed.

  In addition, the inventors of the present invention have obtained new knowledge that the charging member used for capturing and removing small dust in the atmosphere is excellent in collecting mist-like fine droplets through experiments and the like. Obtained. The droplet discharge device of the present invention is based on such knowledge. According to this configuration, even if a fine droplet is misted and becomes a floating state, it can be collected at a desired position by the charging member. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to reduce the floating of the fine droplets, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of various problems due to the fine droplets adhering to the housing.

  Application Example 2 The above-described droplet discharge device, wherein the charging member is disposed at a position where the charge removal effect of the charge removal member does not reach.

  According to this configuration, first, the charge can be removed from the droplets by the charge eliminating member, and the floating fine droplets can be reduced. Then, it is possible to collect fine droplets that are charged and cannot be neutralized by the charging member. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently suppress the floating of the fine droplets, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of various problems due to the fine droplets adhering to the components in the housing.

  Application Example 3 The nozzle plate has a nozzle surface on which the nozzle is formed and a plurality of plate surfaces that rise from the nozzle surface at a predetermined angle, and the charge removal member is disposed on the nozzle surface. The above-described droplet discharge device.

  According to this configuration, the liquid droplets can be discharged on the nozzle surface portion where the nozzles from which the liquid droplets are discharged are present. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently suppress the separated fine droplets from being charged and floating, and it is possible to promote the dropping of the separated droplets onto the recording medium together with the droplet main body.

  Application Example 4 In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus, the charging member is disposed on at least one surface of the plurality of plate surfaces.

  According to this configuration, fine droplets that cannot be completely discharged at the nozzle plate part where the droplets are ejected but are mist can be collected by the charging member disposed on the nearest plate surface.

  Application Example 5 The carriage includes a plurality of carriage surfaces having a predetermined angle with respect to the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head, and the charging member is disposed on at least one surface of the plurality of carriage surfaces. The above-described droplet discharge device, wherein the droplet discharge device is disposed.

  According to this configuration, fine droplets that cannot be completely discharged at the nozzle plate portion where the nozzles from which droplets are ejected and are mist are captured by the charging member disposed on the carriage surface of the carriage on which the droplet ejection head is mounted. I can gather.

  Application Example 6 A pair of frames extending along the carriage movement direction with the carriage movement mechanism interposed therebetween, and a front and a rear in the carriage movement direction with the carriage movement path interposed therebetween A pair of side frames, wherein at least one of the charging members is disposed on a surface of the pair of frames and the pair of side frames facing a movement region of the carriage. Droplet discharge device.

  In the configuration in which the droplet discharge head moves, fine droplets having electric charges are likely to float due to the airflow generated due to the movement of the droplet discharge head and the carriage. According to this configuration, fine droplets that cannot be neutralized at the nozzle plate portion where the droplets are ejected but are misted and floated are placed on the frame and side frame portions that regulate the moving region of the droplet ejection head. Can be collected by the charging member.

  (Application example 7) A housing that houses the droplet discharge head, the carriage, and the carriage moving mechanism, and that has the carriage moving path formed therein, the casing being at least of the carriage moving path The liquid droplet ejection apparatus as described above, further comprising an open / close lid that partially opens and closes, wherein the charging member is disposed on an inner surface of the open / close lid.

  Such an opening / closing lid is provided for maintenance inside the housing, and is provided adjacent to the carriage movement path. Therefore, if a charging member is arranged on the opening / closing lid, the fine droplets that cannot be removed at the nozzle plate part where the nozzles that eject the droplets are present, and that are swollen by the air flow generated by the movement of the droplet ejection head and carriage Can be collected by a charging member disposed on the opening / closing lid.

  (Application Example 8) The nozzle plate has a nozzle surface on which the nozzle is formed and a plurality of plate surfaces rising at a predetermined angle from the nozzle surface, and the charge removal member includes a plurality of plate surfaces The above-described droplet discharge device, wherein the droplet discharge device is disposed on at least one surface.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to neutralize the droplet near the nozzle plate where the nozzle from which the droplet is ejected is located. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently suppress the separated fine droplets from being charged and floating, and it is possible to promote the dropping of the separated droplets onto the recording medium together with the droplet main body.

  Application Example 9 The carriage includes a plurality of carriage surfaces having a predetermined angle with respect to the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head, and the charging member is at least one of the plurality of carriage surfaces of the carriage. The above-described droplet discharge device, wherein the droplet discharge device is disposed on two surfaces.

  According to this configuration, fine droplets that cannot be completely discharged on the plate surface of the nozzle plate and are mist can be collected by the charging member disposed on the carriage on which the droplet discharge head is mounted.

  Application Example 10 A pair of frames extending along the carriage movement direction with the carriage movement mechanism interposed therebetween, and a front and a rear in the carriage movement direction with the carriage movement path interposed therebetween A pair of side frames, wherein at least one of the charging members is disposed on a surface of the pair of frames and the pair of side frames facing a movement region of the carriage. Droplet discharge device.

  In the configuration in which the droplet discharge head moves, fine droplets having electric charges are likely to float due to the airflow generated due to the movement of the droplet discharge head and the carriage. According to this configuration, fine droplets that cannot be completely discharged on the plate surface of the nozzle plate but are misted and floated can be collected by the charging member attached to the frame portion that regulates the moving region of the droplet discharge head.

  (Application Example 11) A case in which the droplet discharge head, the carriage, and the carriage moving mechanism are accommodated and the carriage moving path is formed inside is provided, and the casing includes at least the carriage moving path. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus as described above, further comprising an open / close lid that partially opens and closes, wherein the charging member is disposed on an inner surface of the open / close lid.

  Such an opening / closing lid is provided for maintenance inside the housing, and is provided adjacent to the carriage movement path. Therefore, if the charging member is attached to the opening / closing lid, the electrostatic charge cannot be completely removed from the plate surface of the nozzle plate, and fine droplets that rise due to the air flow generated by the movement of the droplet discharge head and carriage are captured by the charging member attached to the opening / closing lid. I can gather.

  Application Example 12 The carriage includes a plurality of carriage surfaces having a predetermined angle with respect to the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head, and the charge eliminating member is at least one of the plurality of carriage surfaces of the carriage. The above-described droplet discharge device, wherein the droplet discharge device is disposed on two surfaces.

  According to this configuration, the droplets can be discharged at the carriage portion on which the droplet discharge head that discharges the droplets is mounted. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently suppress the separated fine droplets from being charged and floating, and it is possible to promote the dropping of the separated droplets onto the recording medium together with the droplet main body.

  (Application Example 13) The droplet discharge device, wherein the carriage has a flat surface at a position opposite to the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head, and the charging member is disposed on the flat surface. .

  According to this configuration, fine droplets that cannot be completely discharged on the carriage surface of the carriage but mist and rise upward can be collected by the charging member disposed on the upper surface side of the carriage on which the droplet discharge head is mounted.

  Application Example 14 A pair of frames extending along the carriage moving direction with the carriage moving mechanism in between, and a front and a rear in the carriage moving direction with the carriage moving path in between A pair of side frames, wherein at least one of the charging members is disposed on a surface of the pair of frames and the pair of side frames facing a movement region of the carriage. Droplet discharge device.

  In the configuration in which the droplet discharge head moves, fine droplets having electric charges are likely to float due to the airflow generated due to the movement of the droplet discharge head and the carriage. According to this configuration, fine droplets that cannot be neutralized on the carriage surface of the carriage but are misted and floated can be collected by the charging member attached to the frame portion that regulates the moving region of the droplet discharge head.

  (Application example 15) A case in which the droplet discharge head, the carriage, and the carriage moving mechanism are housed and the carriage moving path is formed inside is provided, and the casing includes at least the carriage moving path. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus as described above, further comprising an open / close lid that partially opens and closes, wherein the charging member is disposed on an inner surface of the open / close lid.

  Such an opening / closing lid is provided for maintenance inside the housing, and is provided adjacent to the carriage movement path. Therefore, if a charging member is attached to the opening / closing lid, the charge cannot be completely removed from the carriage surface of the carriage, and the fine droplets that rise due to the air flow generated by the movement of the droplet discharge head and the carriage are collected by the charging member attached to the opening / closing lid. it can.

  (Application Example 16) A pair of side frames disposed in front and rear in the movement direction of the carriage with the carriage movement path interposed therebetween, and any one of the pair of side frames is the recording The standby position in which the droplet discharge head is retracted from above the medium, the charge removal member is disposed on one of the pair of side frames, and the charging member is disposed on the other of the pair of side frames. A droplet discharge apparatus characterized by the above.

  In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus, the liquid droplet ejection head is moved to a standby position during standby to make it stand by, and a flushing operation for ejecting liquid droplets is performed in order to keep the nozzle in a normal state at the standby position. According to this configuration, by disposing the charge eliminating member on one side frame waiting for the droplet discharge head, it is possible to suppress the minute droplets generated during the flushing operation from floating in the apparatus. In addition, fine droplets that cannot be neutralized and mist and float can be collected by the charging member disposed on the other side frame.

  Application Example 17 It has a pair of frames extending along the movement direction of the carriage with the carriage movement mechanism in between, and the charge removal member is a movement region of the droplet discharge head in the pair of frames. The droplet discharge device is disposed on one of the frames close to the first frame, and the charging member is disposed on the other frame of the pair of frames far from the moving region of the droplet discharge head. apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the fine droplets generated with the movement of the droplet discharge head are neutralized by the neutralization member arranged on one frame near the movement region of the droplet discharge head, and cannot be completely neutralized and become mist. Floating fine droplets are collected by a charging member disposed on the other frame.

  (Application Example 18) The liquid droplet ejection apparatus, wherein the static elimination member is a static elimination cloth in which a fiber material including conductive short fibers is formed in a sheet shape.

  According to this configuration, the neutralizing cloth in which the short fibers of the conductive member are woven can generate countless corona discharges with a low charge, and becomes a neutralizing member that is non-contact and has a high neutralizing performance.

  (Application Example 19) The droplet discharge device according to the above, wherein the charging member is detachably attached.

  According to this configuration, it becomes easy to replace a charging member that is contaminated by collecting fine mist droplets with a new charging member.

  (Application Example 20) The above-described droplet discharge device, wherein the charging member is a charging filter made of a porous electret body.

  According to this configuration, a charging filter made of a porous electret body can be used as the charging member. The electrification filter is composed of an electret body and a porous structure such as a nonwoven fabric made of a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene. An electret body is a dielectric that maintains permanent polarization. That is, by using a charging filter as the charging member, it is possible to collect fine droplets with a simple configuration without power consumption.

1 is an external perspective view of a printer to which the present invention is applied as viewed from the front side. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of the printer. The perspective view which looked at the printer which removed the exterior case from the printer front. The perspective view which looked at the printer which removed the exterior case from the printer back. The perspective view which looked at the print head of the printer from the lower front of the printer. The perspective view which shows the state which opened the opening-and-closing lid | cover of the printer.

  Hereinafter, an ink jet printer will be described as an example of a droplet discharge device to which the present invention is applied with reference to the drawings. An ink jet printer ejects ink (liquid) from an ink jet head as a liquid droplet ejection head as ink droplets (liquid droplets), and prints information on a printing paper as a recording medium. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the vertical and horizontal scales of members or parts may be shown differently from the actual ones for convenience of description and illustration.

(About overall printer configuration)
First, an overall configuration of an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer to which the present invention is applied as viewed from the front side. 1 indicates the width direction of the printing paper, the Y direction indicates the discharge direction of the printing paper, and the Z direction indicates a direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a printer main body 2 and a reversing unit 3. The printer main body 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the printer width direction X as a whole. A concave portion 4 is formed in the central portion of the back surface of the printer main body 2, and the reversing unit 3 is attached thereto. The reversing unit 3 is a unit for returning the printing paper P to the printer main body 2 with the front and back sides of the printing paper P (see FIG. 2), which is a sheet-like recording medium, reversed.

  The printer main body 2 is provided with a paper feed cassette mounting portion 5. The paper feed cassette mounting unit 5 is open to the front of the printer (front of the printer front-rear direction Y) in the lower part of the printer vertical direction Z on the front surface of the printer main body unit 2. A paper feed cassette 6 is detachably attached to the paper feed cassette mounting portion 5 from the front of the printer. A paper discharge tray 7 is attached to the upper side of the paper cassette mounting unit 5. The front end portion of the paper discharge tray 7 protrudes from the printer main body 2 toward the front of the printer. A rectangular paper discharge port 8 is formed on the upper side of the paper discharge tray 7 so as to extend rearward of the printer (backward in the front-rear direction Y of the printer).

  An exterior case 9 as a casing of the printer main body 2 includes an operation surface 9 a on the front surface portion above the paper discharge port 8. A power switch, a status display lamp, and the like are arranged on the operation surface 9a. In the exterior case 9, rectangular opening / closing doors 9 b and 9 c are attached to the front surface of the printer on both sides in the X direction of the paper discharge tray 7 and the paper discharge outlet 8. When these open / close doors 9b and 9c are opened, the ink cartridge mounting portion 10 (see FIG. 3) is opened, and the ink cartridge (not shown) can be replaced. The upper surface portion of the printer in the outer case 9 is a substantially flat surface, and a maintenance opening / closing lid 11 is attached to the central portion thereof.

(About the internal configuration of the printer)
Next, the internal configuration of the printer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG. 2 indicate the same directions as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a printing paper supply path 12, a main body side conveyance path 13, and a reverse conveyance path 14 are formed inside the printer 1. The printing paper supply path 12 and the main body side conveyance path 13 are formed inside the exterior case 9 of the printer main body 2, and the reversal conveyance path 14 is formed inside the reversing unit 3.

  The printing paper supply path 12 is a conveyance path for supplying printing paper P having a predetermined size stored in the paper cassette 6 in a stacked state to the main body conveyance path 13. The printing paper supply path 12 and the paper feed cassette 6 are disposed below the main body side conveyance path 13. The printing paper supply path 12 extends obliquely upward toward the rear of the printer from the rear end portion of the printer front-rear direction Y in the paper feed cassette mounting portion 5, curves in front of the printer, and is connected to the main body side conveyance path 13. . The print paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 6 is sent out to the print paper supply path 12 by the paper feed roller 15. The fed printing paper P is fed one by one through the nip portion between the retard roller 16 and the transport roller 17 and directed toward the main body side transport path 13 through the nip portion between the transport roller 17 and the driven roller 18. Are transported.

  The main body side conveyance path 13 is a conveyance path that extends in a straight line substantially horizontally in the longitudinal direction Y of the printer and reaches the discharge port 8. A paper edge sensor 20, a paper feed roller pair 21, a print head 22, a first paper discharge roller pair 23, and a second paper discharge roller pair 24 are arranged in order from the back of the printer toward the front of the printer along the main body side conveyance path 13. Is arranged.

  The paper edge sensor 20 and the print head 22 are located above the main body side conveyance path 13. A platen 25 is disposed at a printing position A facing the print head 22 in the main body side conveyance path 13 with a predetermined gap from the print head 22. The print head 22 is an ink jet head as a droplet discharge head, and is reciprocated by a head moving mechanism 26 in a printer width direction X that coincides with the width direction of the main body side conveyance path 13. The head moving mechanism 26 includes a carriage 27 on which the print head 22 is mounted, a carriage guide shaft 28 extending in the printer width direction (X direction), and a carriage moving mechanism 29 that moves the carriage 27 along the carriage guide shaft 28. The carriage motor 30 is disposed above the main body side conveyance path 13.

  The transport roller 17 and the driven roller 18, the paper feed roller pair 21, the first paper discharge roller pair 23, and the second paper discharge roller pair 24 are the main body side transport mechanism 31 that transports the printing paper P along the main body side transport path 13. Is configured. The main body side transport mechanism 31 is driven by a transport motor 32 arranged on the side of the paper feed cassette 6 in the printer width direction X. The main body-side transport mechanism 31 transports the printing paper P toward the front of the printer by driving the transport motor 32 in the forward direction, and transports the printing paper P toward the rear of the printer by driving the transport motor 32 in the reverse direction. . Printing by the print head 22 is performed when the printing paper P passes through the printing position A toward the front of the printer.

  The reversing conveyance path 14 is arranged below the printer vertical direction Z with respect to the main body side conveyance path 13 and is a conveyance path that draws a loop in the printer vertical direction Z as a whole. In the reversing transport path 14, a first reversing transport roller pair 41 and a second reversing transport roller pair 42 are arranged as a reversing transport mechanism 40 that transports the printing paper P along the reversing transport path 14. ing. The reversing transport mechanism 40 is driven by a reversing transport motor 43 disposed inside the reversing transport path 14. The reverse transport mechanism 40 transports the printing paper P fed from the main body side transport path 13 along the reverse transport path 14 in the clockwise direction in FIG. The printing paper P passes through the reversing conveyance path 14 so that the front and back are reversed, and is returned to the main body side conveying path 13.

  When duplex printing is performed by the printer 1, first, the printing paper P stored in the paper feeding cassette 6 is sent out to the printing paper supply path 12 by the paper feeding roller 15. Further, the transport motor 32 is driven in the forward direction, and the print paper P sent out to the print paper supply path 12 is transported by the retard roller 16 and the transport roller 17 and sent out to the main body side transport path 13. The printing paper P sent out to the main body side conveyance path 13 is conveyed to the front of the printer by the main body side conveyance mechanism 31 and passed through the printing position A. At the printing position A, a printing operation for ejecting ink droplets as droplets while moving the print head 22 in the printer width direction X is performed in synchronization with the conveyance operation of the printing paper P by the main body-side conveyance mechanism 31. Thereby, printing is performed on the surface of the printing paper P.

  When printing on the surface of the printing paper P is completed, the transport motor 32 is driven in the reverse direction. Further, the reversing transport motor 43 is driven. By driving the transport motor 32, the printing paper P is transported toward the rear of the printer by the main body-side transport mechanism 31 and is sent from the main body-side transport path 13 to the reversal transport path 14. The printing paper P sent to the reversing transport path 14 is transported along the reversing transport path 14 by the reversing transport mechanism 40 and returned to the main body transport path 13 with the front and back sides reversed.

  The printing paper P returned to the main body side conveyance path 13 is again conveyed to the front of the printer by the main body side conveyance mechanism 31 and passed through the printing position A by the print head 22. At the printing position A, a printing operation for ejecting ink droplets while moving the print head 22 in the printer width direction X is performed in synchronization with the conveyance operation of the printing paper P by the main body side conveyance mechanism 31. Thereby, printing is performed on the back surface of the printing paper P. When printing on the back surface of the printing paper P is completed, the main body side transport mechanism 31 further transports the printing paper P to the front of the printer and discharges it from the paper discharge port 8.

(Head moving mechanism and print head moving path)
Next, the movement path of the head moving mechanism and the print head will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer with the outer case removed as seen from the front of the printer, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the printer with the outer case removed as seen from the rear of the printer. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 indicate the same directions as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 27 supports the print head 22 in front of the printer with respect to the carriage guide shaft 28. The carriage moving mechanism 29 and the carriage motor 30 are configured on the rear side of the printer with respect to the carriage guide shaft 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one end portion of the carriage guide shaft 28 is supported by a first side frame 45 extending in the front-rear direction of the printer and upward at one end portion in the printer width direction X. ing. The first side frame 45 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the main body side conveyance path 13. The other end portion of the carriage guide shaft 28 is supported by a second side frame 46 that extends in parallel with the first side frame 45 at the other end portion in the printer width direction X. The second side frame 46 is disposed at a predetermined interval from the main body side conveyance path 13.

  The carriage moving mechanism 29 includes a pair of pulleys 47 disposed in the vicinity of the first side frame 45 and in the vicinity of the second side frame 46, and a timing belt 48 spanned between the pair of pulleys 47. I have. The timing belt 48 is stretched along the carriage guide shaft 28. A carriage 27 is connected to the timing belt 48, and the driving force of the carriage motor 30 is transmitted to one pulley 47. Accordingly, the timing belt 48 is rotated by the drive of the carriage motor 30, whereby the carriage 27 moves along the carriage guide shaft 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the home position HP (standby position) of the print head 22 and the carriage 27 is between the main body side conveyance path 13 and the first side frame 45. A maintenance mechanism 50 for the print head 22 is disposed at the home position HP. The maintenance mechanism 50 has a head cap 51 disposed so as to face the nozzle surface 37a (see FIG. 5) of the nozzle plate 37 of the print head 22 disposed at the home position HP, and the head cap approaches the nozzle surface 37a. And a cap lifting / lowering mechanism (not shown) that moves up and down in the direction and away from the head.

  When the printer 1 enters a standby state, the print head 22 moves to the home position HP by the head moving mechanism 26, and the nozzle surface 37 a is covered by the head cap 51. The print head 22 is moved to the home position HP by the head moving mechanism 26 every time a predetermined time elapses, and performs a flushing operation for ejecting ink droplets toward the head cap 51. The flushing operation is a maintenance operation that eliminates clogging of the nozzles 36 (see FIG. 5) caused by ink thickening.

  Between the main body side conveyance path 13 and the second side frame 46 is an away position AP of the print head 22 and the carriage 27. The away position AP is printed when printing on the paper edge portion of the printing paper P in the paper width direction when printing is performed on the printing paper P conveyed through the main body side conveyance path 13 while moving the print head 22 in the printer width direction X. This is a space for retracting the head 22 outward from the main body side conveyance path 13.

  The print head 22 and the carriage 27 reciprocate linearly along the carriage guide shaft 28 between the home position HP and the away position AP. Accordingly, a section in which the home position HP is one end and the away position AP is the other end is a movement area (movement path) S of the print head 22 and the carriage 27. A flexible ink flow path 49 (see FIG. 5) is connected to the print head 22, and the print head 22 is connected to an ink cartridge (not shown) via the ink flow path 49. When the print head 22 moves between the home position HP and the away position AP, the ink flow path 49 deforms following the movement of the print head 22.

  Note that the printer 1 of the present example is mounted on the upper side of the first side frame 45 and the second side frame 46 at a position behind the printer in the moving region S, that is, at a position adjacent to the timing belt 48 behind the printer. A rear frame 55 is provided. In addition, a front frame 56 spanned between upper end portions of the first side frame 45 and the second side frame 46 is disposed at a position in front of the printer in the movement area S, that is, at a position adjacent to the print head 22 in front of the printer. I have. The rear frame 55 and the front frame 56 extend in the printer width direction X in a state of being parallel to each other. The front frame 56 supports a portion of a flexible ink flow path 49 that supplies ink to the print head 22.

(First embodiment)
(About arrangement | positioning of the static elimination member of 1st Embodiment)
Here, the arrangement of the charge removal member of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the print head of the printer as viewed from the lower front side of the printer. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG. 5 indicate the same directions as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG.

  In the printer 1 equipped with an inkjet head as the print head 22, a part of the ink droplets ejected from the print head 22 is separated from the ink droplet main body flying toward the printing paper P during printing operation or flushing operation, and printing is performed. Before reaching the paper P or the head cap 51 (see FIG. 4), the ink droplets may float inside the outer case 9 as fine ink droplets. Floating fine ink droplets adhere to the components in the outer case 9 and contaminate the components. Further, since the floating fine ink droplets are charged due to the charging of the nozzle surface 37a of the nozzle plate 37 of the print head 22 and the charging of the platen 25, the sensors and controls such as the paper edge sensor 20 shown in FIG. They may adhere to charged parts such as substrates and cause defects in these parts.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the print head 22, a portion of the nozzle plate 37 projects from the bottom surface 27 a of the carriage 27 in the Z direction in the drawing. The nozzles 36 are formed in a plurality of rows on the bottom surface portion of the nozzle plate 37 to form a nozzle surface 37a. The nozzle plate 37 of the present embodiment is formed in a substantially box shape with the nozzle surface 37a as a bottom surface, and has plate surfaces 37b to 37e as side surfaces of the box. The plate surfaces 37b to 37e may be attachments that fix the nozzle surface 37a instead of being integrated with the nozzle surface 37a. In the printer 1 according to the first embodiment, a neutralizing cloth 70 as a neutralizing member that removes the charge of ink droplets in a non-contact manner near the outer periphery of the nozzle surface 37 a of the nozzle plate 37 of the print head 22 that is out of the arrangement of the nozzle 36. A (first charge eliminating cloth 81) is attached.

  In the following description, when referring to the neutralization cloth in general as the static elimination member, it is referred to as the neutralization cloth 70, and when referring to individual static elimination cloth, for example, the first static elimination cloth 81, the second static elimination cloth 82, the first This is referred to as a neutralizing cloth 83 in FIG.

  The static elimination cloth 70 is a nonwoven fabric in which a fiber material including conductive short fibers is formed in a sheet shape. More specifically, a non-woven fabric in which ultrafine fibers are formed in a sheet shape is impregnated with a conductive polymer. In addition, it can also be set as the form which woven conductive short fiber in the form different from a nonwoven fabric, for example, a woven fabric or a knitted fabric. Since the conductive short fibers included in the neutralizing cloth 70 have many cross sections in which charges are likely to concentrate like a so-called needle tip electrode or the like, corona discharge occurs at a low voltage. Therefore, it has a non-contact static elimination function that removes the electric charge of the non-contact state object by corona discharge. Therefore, the charge of the ink droplet can be removed without contact. Moreover, the static elimination cloth 70 is provided with an adhesive layer on the back surface of a nonwoven fabric containing conductive short fibers, and can be used as a static elimination tape.

  In the printer 1 of the first embodiment, since the first charge-removing cloth 81 is attached to the nozzle surface 37a of the nozzle plate 37 of the print head 22, the printer 1 separates from the ink droplet main body ejected from the nozzle 36 on the nozzle surface 37a. The charge of fine ink droplets can be removed. Accordingly, these ink droplets, which have been conventionally made into ink mist, are easy to drop onto the printing paper together with the ink droplet main body, and the floating of the fine ink droplets is suppressed. Further, even if fine ink droplets are in a floating state, charging of the ink droplets can be suppressed, so that it is possible to suppress the ink droplets from being attracted to a member charged with static electricity and causing a problem. Furthermore, since only the 1st static elimination cloth 81 is stuck and it is not necessary to perform an earth connection, a structure is simple. In the following description, the fine ink droplets that float are called ink mist.

(Regarding the arrangement of the charging member of the first embodiment)
Next, the arrangement of the charging member according to the first embodiment will be described. In the printer 1 in which the neutralizing cloth 70 (first neutralizing cloth 81) is attached to the nozzle surface 37a of the nozzle plate 37 of the print head 22, as a charging member that collects ink mist at a position far from the neutralizing cloth 70. A charging filter 60 (a first charging filter 91, a second charging filter 92, etc.) is attached. In the following description, the charging filter in general refers to the charging filter 60, and the individual charging filter refers to, for example, the first charging filter 91, the second charging filter 92, and the third charging filter. Like 93.

  Each charging filter 60 is configured by an electret body made of a porous structure such as a nonwoven fabric made of a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene. An electret body is a dielectric that maintains permanent polarization. The first to third charging filters 91, 92, 93 are in the form of a sheet, and the front and back surfaces are filter surfaces 91a, 92a, 93a as one surface.

  Although the charging filter 60 is commercially available and is used for capturing and removing small dust in the atmosphere, the inventors have obtained knowledge that the charging filter 60 is excellent in collecting ink mist. . That is, the inventors have confirmed through experiments that the ink mist is well collected by the charging filter 60. If the charging filter 60 is used, ink mist can be collected without complicating the structure of the printer 1 and without consuming power.

  The charging filter 60 as the charging member is preferably attached at a position where the neutralizing effect of the neutralizing cloth 70 is not exerted. For this reason, it is preferable to devise the performance and size of the static elimination cloth 70 or the performance and size of the charging filter 60 when being attached at a close position.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to First Example of First Embodiment)
The arrangement of the charging member according to the first example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in the first example of the first embodiment, the charging filter 60 (first charging filter 91) is attached to any one of the plate surfaces 37b to 37e. In the present embodiment, the case where the first charging filter 91 is attached to the plate surface 37d is illustrated. Note that the first charging filter 91 may be attached to one of the plate surfaces 37b to 37e, or may be attached to a plurality of surfaces.

  For this reason, the ink mist that has not been completely discharged by the nozzle surface 37a where the nozzles 36 to which ink droplets are ejected can be collected by the first charging filter 91 disposed on the nearest plate surfaces 37b to 37e. Therefore, the floating of the ink mist can be suppressed efficiently, and the occurrence of various problems due to the ink mist adhering to the components of the printer 1 can be suppressed.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to Second Example of First Embodiment)
The arrangement of the charging member according to the second example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in the second example of the first embodiment, the charging filter 60 (second charging filter 92) is attached to at least one of the carriage surfaces 27 c of the carriage 27. The second charging filter 92 may be attached to one surface of the carriage surface 27c, or may be attached to a plurality of surfaces.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the second charging filter 92 may be attached to one carriage surface 27c facing the away position AP. The carriage surface 27c is a side surface that faces the traveling direction when the print head 22 and the carriage 27 move to the away position AP side.

  Further, since the side surface on the away position AP side is a portion facing the passage of the ink mist floating in the apparatus, the second charge filter 92 is disposed here, so that the first charge removal cloth 81 cannot completely remove the charge. Ink mist floating in the can be collected. Further, during the printing operation, a negative pressure is generated near the carriage surface 27c to which the second charging filter 92 is attached while the print head 22 and the carriage 27 are moving toward the away position AP. Thus, ink mist generated when ink is ejected can be collected effectively.

  Here, the second charging filter 92 may be attached to the other carriage surface 27 c of the carriage 27. For example, the second charging filter 92 can be attached to the carriage surface 27c of the carriage 27 that faces the traveling direction when moving to the home position HP side. In this case, when the print head 22 and the carriage 27 return to the home position HP, the vicinity of the second charging filter 92 becomes negative pressure. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the floating of the ink mist generated by the ink ejection while the print head 22 and the carriage 27 return to the home position HP. Further, the second charging filter 92 can be attached to both the carriage surface 27c facing the home position HP and the carriage surface 27c facing the away position AP.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to Third Example of First Embodiment)
The arrangement of the charging member according to the third example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third example of the first embodiment, the charging filter 60 (third charging filter 93) is formed by the first side frame 45 and the second side frame 46 facing the moving region S of the carriage 27 shown in FIG. The rear frame 55 and the front frame 56 are attached to at least one surface.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the third charging filter 93 is affixed to the rear frame 55 with an adhesive. Since the rear frame 55 extends along the moving region S of the print head 22, that is, the carriage 27, the third charging filter 93 is attached to the rear frame 55, so that the filter surface 93 a is spread over a wide range. Can be exposed to the moving region S. Here, in the movement region S, the ink mist is likely to float due to the airflow generated due to the movement of the print head 22. Therefore, if the third charging filter 93 is attached to the rear frame 55, the ink mist that is floating without being completely discharged by the first charge eliminating cloth 81 can be collected well.

  Further, static electricity is likely to be generated between the carriage guide shaft 28 and the carriage 27 due to these sliding movements. Therefore, the carriage guide shaft 28 is easily charged, and the ink mist that has been charged without being completely discharged by the first charge removal cloth 81 is attracted to the vicinity of the carriage guide shaft 28. Also, static electricity is likely to be generated between the timing belt 48 and the pulley 47 due to these sliding movements. Therefore, the timing belt 48 is easily charged, and the charged ink mist is attracted to the vicinity of the timing belt 48. Therefore, by arranging the third charging filter 93 at a position facing the carriage guide shaft 28, ink mist can be easily collected.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the third charging filter 93 is attached to the rear frame 55 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The third charging filter 93 may be attached to one of the first side frame 45, the second side frame 46, the rear frame 55, and the front frame 56, or a plurality of frames. It may be attached to. Also, one frame may be divided and attached.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to Fourth Example of First Embodiment)
A fourth example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the opening / closing lid of the printer is opened. As shown in FIG. 6, in the printer 1 according to the fourth example of the first embodiment, a fourth charging filter 94 may be attached to the inner side surface of the opening / closing lid 11 provided in the exterior case 9. The opening / closing lid 11 opens a part above the moving region S of the print head 22 (carriage 27). When the print paper P is jammed at the print position A, the open / close lid 11 It is opened and closed when the restoration work to remove from the main body side conveyance path 13 is performed.

  Since the opening / closing lid 11 is provided adjacent to the moving region S, the filter surface 94 a can be exposed to the moving region S if the fourth charging filter 94 is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 11. Accordingly, the ink mist that rises due to the airflow generated with the movement of the print head 22 can be collected by the fourth charging filter 94. Further, since the fourth charging filter 94 is exposed to the outside of the outer case 9 when the opening / closing lid 11 is opened, if the fourth charging filter 94 is detachable from the opening / closing lid 11, the replacement becomes easy. .

(Second Embodiment)
(About arrangement | positioning of the static elimination member of 2nd Embodiment)
Here, the arrangement of the charge removal member of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and content similar to 1st Embodiment, a code | symbol is made equal and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the print head 22, a portion of the nozzle plate 37 projects from the bottom surface 27 a of the carriage 27 in the Z direction in the drawing. The nozzles 36 are formed in a plurality of rows on the bottom surface portion of the nozzle plate 37 to form a nozzle surface 37a. The nozzle plate 37 of the present embodiment is formed in a substantially box shape with the nozzle surface 37a as a bottom surface, and has plate surfaces 37b to 37e as side surfaces of the box. The plate surfaces 37b to 37e may be attachments that fix the nozzle surface 37a instead of being integrated with the nozzle surface 37a. In the printer 1 according to the second embodiment, the neutralizing cloth 70 (second electrification member) is disposed on at least one of the plate surfaces 37b to 37e of the nozzle plate 37 of the print head 22 as a neutralizing member that removes the charge of ink droplets in a non-contact manner. A neutralizing cloth 82) is attached. In 2nd Embodiment, the case where the 2nd static elimination cloth 82 is attached to the plate surface 37d is illustrated.

  In the printer 1 of the second embodiment, since the second charge-removing cloth 82 is attached to the plate surface 37d of the nozzle plate 37 of the print head 22, the printer 1 separates from the ink droplet main body ejected from the nozzle 36 on the nozzle surface 37a. The ink mist charge can be removed at a close position. Accordingly, these ink droplets, which have been conventionally made into ink mist, are easy to fall on the printing paper together with the ink droplet main body, and the floating of the ink mist is suppressed. Further, even if fine ink droplets are in a floating state, charging of the ink droplets can be suppressed, so that it is possible to suppress the ink droplets from being attracted to a member charged with static electricity and causing a problem. Furthermore, since only the second static eliminating cloth 82 needs to be pasted and there is no need for ground connection, the configuration is simple.

(Regarding arrangement of charging member of second embodiment)
Next, the arrangement of charging members according to the second embodiment will be described. In the printer 1 in which the second static eliminating cloth 82 is attached to at least one of the plate surfaces 37b to 37e of the nozzle plate 37 of the print head 22, the ink mist is collected at a position farther than the second static eliminating cloth 82. A charging filter 60 (second charging filter 92, third charging filter 93, etc.) is attached as a charging member.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to First Example of Second Embodiment)
The arrangement of the charging member according to the first example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in the first example of the second embodiment, the second charging filter 92 is attached to at least one of the carriage surfaces 27 c of the carriage 27. The second charging filter 92 may be attached to one surface of the carriage surface 27c, or may be attached to a plurality of surfaces.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the second charging filter 92 may be attached to one carriage surface 27c facing the away position AP. The carriage surface 27c is a side surface that faces the traveling direction when the print head 22 and the carriage 27 move to the away position AP side. Further, since the side surface on the away position AP side is a portion facing the passage of the ink mist that floats in the machine, the second charge filter 92 cannot be removed by the second charge eliminating cloth 82 by disposing the second charge filter 92 here. Ink mist floating in the can be collected. Further, during the printing operation, a negative pressure is generated near the carriage surface 27c to which the second charging filter 92 is attached while the print head 22 and the carriage 27 are moving toward the away position AP. Thus, ink mist generated when ink is ejected can be collected effectively.

  Here, the second charging filter 92 may be attached to the other carriage surface 27 c of the carriage 27. For example, the second charging filter 92 can be attached to the carriage surface 27c of the carriage 27 that faces the traveling direction when moving to the home position HP side. In this case, when the print head 22 and the carriage 27 return to the home position HP, the vicinity of the second charging filter 92 becomes negative pressure. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the floating of the ink mist generated by the ink ejection while the print head 22 and the carriage 27 return to the home position HP. Further, the second charging filter 92 can be attached to both the carriage surface 27c facing the home position HP and the carriage surface 27c facing the away position AP.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to Second Example of Second Embodiment)
The arrangement of the charging members according to the second example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second example of the second embodiment, the charging filter 60 (third charging filter 93) is a rear side frame of the first side frame 45 and the second side frame 46 facing the moving region S of the carriage 27. 55 and at least one surface of the front frame 56.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the third charging filter 93 is affixed to the rear frame 55 with an adhesive. Since the rear frame 55 extends along the moving region S of the print head 22, that is, the carriage 27, the third charging filter 93 is attached to the rear frame 55, so that the filter surface 93 a is spread over a wide range. Can be exposed to the moving region S. Here, in the movement region S, the ink mist is likely to float due to the airflow generated due to the movement of the print head 22. Therefore, if the third charging filter 93 is attached to the rear frame 55, the ink mist that is floating without being completely discharged by the second discharging cloth 82 can be collected well.

  Further, static electricity is likely to be generated between the carriage guide shaft 28 and the carriage 27 due to these sliding movements. Accordingly, the carriage guide shaft 28 is easily charged, and the ink mist that has been charged without being completely discharged by the second charge removal cloth 82 is attracted to the vicinity of the carriage guide shaft 28. Also, static electricity is likely to be generated between the timing belt 48 and the pulley 47 due to these sliding movements. Therefore, the timing belt 48 is easily charged, and the charged ink mist is attracted to the vicinity of the timing belt 48. Therefore, by arranging the third charging filter 93 at a position facing the carriage guide shaft 28, ink mist can be easily collected.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the third charging filter 93 is attached to the rear frame 55 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The third charging filter 93 may be attached to one of the first side frame 45, the second side frame 46, the rear frame 55, and the front frame 56, or a plurality of frames. It may be attached to. Also, one frame may be divided and attached.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to Third Example of Second Embodiment)
A third example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in the printer 1 according to the third example of the second embodiment, a fourth charging filter 94 may be attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 11 provided in the exterior case 9. The opening / closing lid 11 opens a part above the moving region S of the print head 22 (carriage 27). When the print paper P is jammed at the print position A, the open / close lid 11 It is opened and closed when the restoration work to remove from the main body side conveyance path 13 is performed.

  Since the opening / closing lid 11 is provided adjacent to the moving region S, the filter surface 94 a can be exposed to the moving region S if the fourth charging filter 94 is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 11. Therefore, the fourth charging filter 94 can collect the ink mist that has not been completely discharged by the second charge-removing cloth 82 that rises due to the airflow generated as the print head 22 moves. Further, since the fourth charging filter 94 is exposed to the outside of the outer case 9 when the opening / closing lid 11 is opened, if the fourth charging filter 94 is detachable from the opening / closing lid 11, the replacement becomes easy. .

(Third embodiment)
(About arrangement | positioning of the static elimination member of 3rd Embodiment)
Here, the arrangement of the charge removal member of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and content similar to 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, a code | symbol is made equal and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the third embodiment, the third static eliminating cloth 83 is attached to at least one surface of the carriage surface 27 c of the carriage 27. The third static eliminating cloth 83 may be attached to one surface of the carriage surface 27c or may be attached to a plurality of surfaces.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the third static eliminating cloth 83 may be attached to one carriage surface 27 c facing the away position AP side. The carriage surface 27c is a side surface that faces the traveling direction when the print head 22 and the carriage 27 move to the away position AP side. In addition, since the side surface on the away position AP side is a portion facing the passage of the ink mist floating in the apparatus, the charge of the floating ink mist is removed by arranging the third charge-removal cloth 83 here. it can. Further, during the printing operation, a negative pressure is generated in the vicinity of the carriage surface 27c to which the third static eliminating cloth 83 is attached while the print head 22 and the carriage 27 are moving toward the away position AP. Ink mist generated when ink is ejected. For this reason, it is possible to effectively eliminate static electricity.

  Here, the third static eliminating cloth 83 may be attached to the other carriage surface 27 c of the carriage 27. For example, the third charge removal cloth 83 can be attached to the carriage surface 27c of the carriage 27 that faces the traveling direction when moving to the home position HP side. In this case, when the print head 22 and the carriage 27 return to the home position HP, the vicinity of the third static eliminating cloth 83 becomes negative pressure. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the floating of the ink mist generated by the ink ejection while the print head 22 and the carriage 27 return to the home position HP. It is also possible to affix the third neutralization cloth 83 on the carriage surface 27c facing the home position HP and the carriage surface 27c facing the away position AP.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member of Third Embodiment)
Next, the arrangement of the charging member according to the third embodiment will be described. In the printer 1 in which the third neutralizing cloth 83 is attached to at least one of the carriage surfaces 27 c of the carriage 27, a charging filter as a charging member that collects ink mist at a position far from the third neutralizing cloth 83. 60 (second charging filter 92, third charging filter 93, etc.) are attached.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to First Example of Third Embodiment)
The arrangement of the charging member according to the first example of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the first example of the third embodiment, the fifth charging filter 95 is a surface opposite to the nozzle plate 37 of the print head 22 attached to the carriage 27, that is, the carriage. 27 is attached to the top surface 27d. According to this configuration, the ink mist that rises upward without being neutralized by the carriage surface 27c of the carriage 27 can be collected by the fifth charging filter 95 disposed on the top surface 27d of the carriage 27 on which the print head 22 is mounted. . Further, since the carriage 27 is exposed to the outside of the outer case 9 when the opening / closing lid 11 shown in FIG. 6 is opened, if the fifth charging filter 95 is detachable from the top surface 27d of the carriage 27, The exchange becomes easy.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to Second Example of Third Embodiment)
The arrangement of the charging members according to the second example of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second example of the third embodiment, the third charging filter 93 includes the first side frame 45 facing the moving region S of the carriage 27, the rear side frame 55 of the second side frame 46, and the front side frame. At least one surface of 56 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the third charging filter 93 is affixed to the rear frame 55 with an adhesive. Since the rear frame 55 extends along the moving region S of the print head 22, that is, the carriage 27, the third charging filter 93 is attached to the rear frame 55, so that the filter surface 93 a is spread over a wide range. Can be exposed to the moving region S. Here, in the movement region S, the ink mist is likely to float due to the airflow generated due to the movement of the print head 22. Therefore, if the third charging filter 93 is attached to the rear frame 55, the ink mist floating without being completely discharged by the third discharging cloth 83 can be collected well.

  Further, static electricity is likely to be generated between the carriage guide shaft 28 and the carriage 27 due to these sliding movements. Accordingly, the carriage guide shaft 28 is easily charged, and the ink mist that has been charged without being completely discharged by the third discharging cloth 83 is attracted to the vicinity of the carriage guide shaft 28. Also, static electricity is likely to be generated between the timing belt 48 and the pulley 47 due to these sliding movements. Therefore, the timing belt 48 is easily charged, and the charged ink mist is attracted to the vicinity of the timing belt 48. Therefore, by arranging the third charging filter 93 at a position facing the carriage guide shaft 28, ink mist can be easily collected.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the third charging filter 93 is attached to the rear frame 55 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The third charging filter 93 may be attached to one of the first side frame 45, the second side frame 46, the rear frame 55, and the front frame 56, or a plurality of frames. It may be attached to. Also, one frame may be divided and attached.

(Regarding Arrangement of Charging Member According to Third Example of Third Embodiment)
A third example of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in the printer 1 according to the third example of the third embodiment, a fourth charging filter 94 may be attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 11 provided in the exterior case 9. The opening / closing lid 11 opens a part above the moving region S of the print head 22 (carriage 27). When the print paper P is jammed at the print position A, the open / close lid 11 It is opened and closed when the restoration work to remove from the main body side conveyance path 13 is performed.

  Since the opening / closing lid 11 is provided adjacent to the moving region S, the filter surface 94 a can be exposed to the moving region S if the fourth charging filter 94 is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 11. Therefore, the fourth charging filter 94 can collect ink mist that has not been completely discharged by the third charge-removing cloth 83 that rises due to the airflow generated as the print head 22 moves. Further, since the fourth charging filter 94 is exposed to the outside of the outer case 9 when the opening / closing lid 11 is opened, if the fourth charging filter 94 is detachable from the opening / closing lid 11, the replacement becomes easy. .

(Regarding arrangement of charge eliminating member and charging member of fourth embodiment)
Next, the arrangement of the charge eliminating member and the charging member according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, about the structure and content similar to 1st Embodiment-3rd Embodiment, a code | symbol is made equal and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the home position HP (standby position) of the print head 22 and the carriage 27 is between the main body side conveyance path 13 and the first side frame 45. Further, the distance between the main body side conveyance path 13 and the second side frame 46 is an away position AP of the print head 22 and the carriage 27. In the fourth embodiment, the fourth charge removal cloth 84 is disposed on the movement region S side of the carriage 27 of the first side frame 45, and the sixth charging is performed on the movement region S side of the carriage 27 of the second side frame 46. A filter 96 is disposed.

  As described above, the maintenance mechanism 50 of the print head 22 is arranged at the home position HP, and a flushing operation that is a maintenance operation for eliminating clogging of the nozzles 36 is performed during standby. By disposing the fourth charge removal cloth 84 on the first side frame 45 on the home position HP side, the charge of the ink mist generated during the flushing operation can be removed, and the floating of the ink mist can be suppressed. Further, the floating ink mist that cannot be completely discharged can be collected by the sixth charging filter 96 disposed on the second side frame 46.

(Regarding arrangement of charge eliminating member and charging member of fifth embodiment)
Next, the arrangement of the charge eliminating member and the charging member according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, about the structure and content similar to 1st Embodiment-4th Embodiment, a code | symbol is made equal and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, the printer 1 of this example includes the rear frame 55 behind the printer in the moving area S of the carriage 27 and the front frame 56 at a position in front of the printer in the moving area S. The rear frame 55 and the front frame 56 extend in the printer width direction X in a state of being parallel to each other. In the present embodiment, the front frame 56 is closer to the movement area of the print head 22. In the fifth embodiment, the fifth static eliminating cloth 85 is disposed on the moving region S side of the carriage 27 of the front frame 56, and the seventh charging filter 97 is disposed on the moving region S side of the carriage 27 of the rear frame 55. ing.

  According to this configuration, the ink mist generated along with the movement of the print head 22 and the carriage 27 is neutralized by the fifth neutralizing cloth 85 disposed on the front frame 56 close to the movement area of the print head 22, thereby eliminating the static electricity. The floating ink mist is collected by a seventh charging filter 97 disposed on the rear frame 55.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer as a droplet discharge apparatus, 9 ... Exterior case as a housing | casing, 11 ... Opening / closing lid, 13 ... Main body side conveyance path as a medium conveyance path, 22 ... Print head as a droplet discharge head, 26 ... Head Moving mechanism, 27 ... carriage, 27c ... carriage surface, 27d ... top surface, 29 ... carriage moving mechanism, 36 ... nozzle, 37 ... nozzle plate, 37a ... nozzle surface, 37b-37e ... plate surface, 45 ... first side Frame: 46: second side frame, 55: rear frame, 56: front frame, 60: charging filter as charging member, 70: discharging cloth as discharging member, 81-85: first to fifth discharging Cloth, 91 to 97: 1st to 7th charging filters, S: Carriage movement area (path), P: Printing paper as recording medium, AP: Away position, HP: Ho Position.

Claims (20)

A droplet discharge head comprising a nozzle plate on which nozzles for discharging droplets are formed on a recording medium;
A carriage on which the droplet discharge head is mounted;
A carriage movement mechanism for moving the carriage along a carriage movement path in a direction intersecting a medium conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed;
A static elimination member capable of removing charges of an object in a non-contact state;
A charging member having a polarized charge,
The droplet discharge device, wherein the charge removal member is disposed at a position closer to the nozzle than a position at which the charging member is disposed.   The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein a position where the charging member is disposed is a position where the charge eliminating effect of the charge eliminating member does not reach. The nozzle plate has a nozzle surface on which the nozzle is formed, and a plurality of plate surfaces that rise from the nozzle surface at a predetermined angle.
The droplet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charge eliminating member is disposed on the nozzle surface.   The droplet discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the charging member is disposed on at least one surface of the plurality of plate surfaces. The carriage has a plurality of carriage surfaces having a predetermined angle with respect to the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head;
5. The droplet discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the charging member is disposed on at least one surface of the plurality of carriage surfaces. 6. A pair of frames extending along the direction of movement of the carriage with the carriage moving mechanism in between,
A pair of side frames disposed in front and rear of the carriage movement direction with the carriage movement path in between,
6. The charging member according to claim 3, wherein at least one charging member is disposed on a surface of the pair of frames and the pair of side frames facing a movement area of the carriage. Droplet discharge device. Housing the droplet discharge head, the carriage, and the carriage movement mechanism, and having a casing in which the carriage movement path is formed;
The housing includes an open / close lid that opens and closes at least a part of the carriage movement path,
The droplet discharging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the charging member is disposed on an inner surface of the opening / closing lid. The nozzle plate has a nozzle surface on which the nozzle is formed, and a plurality of plate surfaces that rise from the nozzle surface at a predetermined angle.
The droplet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charge eliminating member is disposed on at least one surface of the plurality of plate surfaces. The carriage has a plurality of carriage surfaces having a predetermined angle with respect to the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head;
The droplet discharge device according to claim 8, wherein the charging member is disposed on at least one of the plurality of carriage surfaces of the carriage. A pair of frames extending along the direction of movement of the carriage with the carriage moving mechanism in between,
A pair of side frames disposed in front and rear of the carriage movement direction with the carriage movement path in between,
10. The droplet discharge device according to claim 8, wherein at least one charging member is disposed on a surface of the pair of frames and the pair of side frames facing a movement area of the carriage. . Housing the droplet discharge head, the carriage, and the carriage movement mechanism, and having a casing in which the carriage movement path is formed;
The housing includes an open / close lid that opens and closes at least a part of the carriage movement path,
The droplet discharging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the charging member is disposed on an inner surface of the opening / closing lid. The carriage has a plurality of carriage surfaces having a predetermined angle with respect to the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head;
3. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the charge eliminating member is disposed on at least one of the plurality of carriage surfaces of the carriage.   13. The droplet discharge apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the carriage has a flat surface at a position opposite to the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head, and the charging member is disposed on the flat surface. A pair of frames extending along the direction of movement of the carriage with the carriage moving mechanism in between,
A pair of side frames disposed in front and rear of the carriage movement direction with the carriage movement path in between,
14. The droplet discharge device according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the charging members is disposed on a surface of the pair of frames and the pair of side frames facing a movement area of the carriage. . Housing the droplet discharge head, the carriage, and the carriage movement mechanism, and having a casing in which the carriage movement path is formed;
The housing includes an open / close lid that opens and closes at least a part of the carriage movement path,
15. The droplet discharge device according to claim 12, wherein the charging member is disposed on an inner surface of the opening / closing lid. Having a pair of side frames disposed forward and backward in the carriage movement direction with the carriage movement path in between,
Either one of the pair of side frames is a standby position where the droplet discharge head is retracted from above the recording medium,
The static elimination member is disposed on one of the pair of side frames,
The droplet discharge device, wherein the charging member is disposed on the other of the pair of side frames. A pair of frames extending along the carriage moving direction with the carriage moving mechanism in between,
The static elimination member is disposed on one of the pair of frames, which is close to a moving region of the droplet discharge head,
3. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charging member is disposed on the other frame of the pair of frames that is remote from a moving region of the liquid droplet ejection head. 4.   18. The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the charge removal member is a charge removal cloth in which a fiber material including conductive short fibers is formed in a sheet shape.   The droplet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the charging member is detachably attached.   The droplet discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the charging member is a charging filter made of a porous electret body.

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